How to Build An AR-10

The AR-10 ArmaLite was developed by Eugene Stoner in 1950’s, and manufactured by ArmaLite Company Banner. This gun was first introduced in 1956, and initially designed as combat rifle that innovates straight-line barrel design with phenolic composite. This gun is a semi-automatic, modular, and magazine fed, like AR-15 you can also build your own AR-10. There were only 9,900 rifles assembled AR-10, and thus become an originator for wide range firearms.

How to Build Armalite AR-10

Image by ВоенТех| Public Domain

The AR-10 ArmaLite is almost on same build with AR-308, but there are few striking differences between the two. First thing first, the parts of AR-10 is the older version of AR-308 and is smaller than the latest version. The receiver has two holes for spring, the one holds the selector in place. Another difference from AR-308 is the trigger bar, AR-10 is not removable at all, and is than the other. When it comes to standardization, the AR-10 is not standardized for any construction, well in fact, different companies have made their own version of AR-10 design. Small parts of this gun like safety trigger and trigger springs can be swapped to AR-15. It’s not that hard assembling the AR-10 Lower Build, here is a step by step procedure to wipe those confusions in your mind.

Magazine Release

After the magazine release, you have to feed the magazine catch on the designated receiver’s hole, and while holding on the other side you must put the largest spring to avoid bouncing. Then, just like the AR-15 it has the magazine catch button, and all you need is to push it in there (top of the large spring) while still holding the magazine catch on the other side. While pressing the magazine catch button, you can now start twisting the magazine catch until the screws flash in the top of the button.

Try the Magazine Release

Put the magazine on it, you’ll know it works when you push the button and the magazine easily drops out. When it’s good, you’re now ready for the next part.

Installing the Bolt Catch

You will need to put some blue tape on easily scratch part. You will be needing now the Bolt Catch Buffer (small microphone shape) and Bolt Catch spring which is the smallest. Put them together, insert the spring with the Bolt Catch Buffer in a hole at the near the Magazine Catch and let it drops in there. Take the Bolt Catch and put it at the same hole and slide the hole pin in there.

Front Take Down

In this step you will be needing the Long Spring, Small Detent, and the Longest Pin. Insert the small detent using a plies to avoid popping out, it is important to keep on hold the small detent while inserting the Long pin inside the two holes. When the big pin is on tact you can now proceed to the next step.

Trigger Assembly

In this step you will be needing the Trigger, Trigger Spring, Disconnector, and the Disconnector spring (green). Take the Trigger spring which is the smallest between the two, and put this on the top of the trigger (two legs of the spring must be heading on front of the gun) to control the trigger. Put and slide the Disconnector on top of the spring, the spring used in this part has is bigger at the bottom. Try to push the disconnector on top of the spring, it must work properly while pressing. Drop this assembled trigger now inside the receiver, and lock it with a Trigger Guard pin to avoid popping out from the receiver. Now try the trigger if it works.

Hammer Assembly

Put together the Hammer and its Spring (the bigger version of the Trigger Spring). The two legs of the spring must be heading on front of the gun, and when you force it down into the receiver this legs are going to point back. Feed the it on the receiver and lock with a Hammer Pin.

Safety Selector

Take the Safety Selector, Take Down Pin, Small Detent, Selector Spring (thin), Larger Spring, Selector Detent (bullet shape). Put on the safety selector on the receiver designated hole facing down, and on the other side put the Takedown pin. As you can see there are two small holes near the trigger, this is where you insert the two small pins together with the spring, this will hold the pistol grip in place. Use an Allen wrench screwdriver to tighten it inside the pistol grip.

Buffer Tube Assembly

Put together the Buffer Spring and Buffer Retainer pin, then insert it inside a small hole inside the buffer tube circle. This would stop the buffer from coming out and keeps it in place. Put the buffer tube and tighten it through, use a castle wrench to tighten the remaining parts of the castle nut. Lastly, put the spring with the buffer inside, and insert it on the buffer tube.

This assembly is only an overview guide, do these steps at your own risk. The AR-10 makes more recoil due to its powerful round, but this can be a better gun for long-range shooting. Keep in mind that the Internal parts are not always compatible because of its unstandardized construction. There are parts that can’t be swapped with other gun parts like AR-15, like its Bolt Catch, Take Down, Buffer, Magazine Catch, and most Pistol Grips. This gun is actually an all-around rifle for any shooter, in fact, many hunters chooses the AR-10 rifle because of its adaptability. The accuracy and comfortability makes every hunter pick an AR. So if you’re wanting all the features of the AR-15 rifle, but with a slightly longer reach capability, you can try this AR-10 now. Building any kind of gun must be responsibly conducted, thus can give harm to the owner when assembled incorrectly. Make sure you do these at your own risk.

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